My day by day life as a homeless man. I give opinions about homelessness, tell stories, and offer homeless tips for surviving homelessness. Also, I share my plan on escaping homelessness. You get to watch my struggle.

MCA

SEE HOW I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF $80 COMMISSIONS TO BRING IN THOUSANDS A MONTH!! CLICK HERE!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

I have to say that this blog has taken a turn, lol! What did you ever expect from me? It started about a year and a half ago and has taken me places I never thought I would go. It has surrounded me with a great group of friends and has personally shown me that all things are possible.... if you are willing to work for it and put it all on the line.

Now that I'm off the streets its time for my next move. Its time to see if I can become a success. I won the homeless fight. I need to win this fight also. Don't we all fight for success after all?

Please come over and like my new Facebook Fan Page! See all the cool things I'm doing today.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

There are many great multi-level marketing companies in operation and some exceptional ones. Unfortunately, there are also some that give the industry a bad name. Therefore, you need to know what to look for before committing your time, money and dreams to an MLM company that will only give you heartache.

Don’t let anyone try to rush you into making a decision. Take your time, do your due diligence and make sure you feel right about everything before signing on the dotted line. Don’t let all of the hype cloud your good judgment.

It is not enough to just choose a great company. I recommend only the best companies, but this doesn’t assure that they will all be right for you. The secret is to find the company that stirs your passion and feels as though it was created and designed especially for you.

To find such a company you need to explore several areas. I have a list of questions to help you do this exploration. The questions are in a useful order, although the order itself is not necessary in order for you to make the right decision. The following is my list of the top 10 questions you need to and, and the find answers to before you make a decision:

#1 What is the product or service you are asked to promote?

Unless you believe in a product or service enough to want to buy it and use it yourself, how can you promote it? Your passion has to start here. (In the future, when you read the word “product,” realize that in most cases this also includes “service.”) With all of the top MLM companies, this is the heart and soul of the business. This is what gives the company – your business – its longevity. The fact is that the biggest reason that many MLM companies fall apart is because there is no demand for the product. If you can get passionate about the product and feel that others will as well, then you are ready to ask the next question.

#2 How much does the product cost the consumer?

The product should be priced well enough so that it does not become an issue. You have enough to do in building an MLM business that you don’t want to have to spend your time trying to justify the price. When you are convinced that people will want the product and it is priced well, you can move on to the other questions.

#3 Who are the leaders of the company and what are their strengths?

The leadership of any company is important, but with MLM companies it plays an even more prominent role. In this case, at least one of the leaders is almost always the founder. They created the company. It is their mission statement and vision that sets the direction and tone of the company. Some important sub-questions to ask include: What did they do before leading this MLM? How did they come together as a team? What is their experience and reputation? Once you feel you can be proud of the leadership team and respect their judgment and decisions, you can move onto the next question.

#4 Does the MLM company seem financially sound?

A big reason that companies in general fail is that they are under-capitalized when they launch and/or they don’t have enough money in reserves to get them through their first two years. Learning this information may take some time and effort on your part, but remember that I am here to help you. Most companies are proud to disclose their financials, or at least part of them, to the public. It is when you can’t find anything about their finances that you should begin to worry.

#5 How long has the MLM company been in business?

90% of the MLM companies that go out of business do so within their first two years of operation. Therefore, as a general rule, it makes sense to wait until a company has celebrated its two year anniversary before joining them. It is important to note here, however, that if you are happy with all of the answers to the other questions, you may not want to wait. Sometimes it is good to get in on the ground floor, when a company is new and exciting. The actual age of the company is not as important as its growth. If it has been around a long time, just make sure that the growth trend line is still positive.

#6 Does the MLM company enjoy a positive reputation?

The company’s reputation should, of course, be important to you, since its credibility will impact your personal credibility. This also goes both ways. In your search for the company’s reputation, especially if you plan to do it online, I would like to issue a warning: Don’t believe everything you read! Unfortunately, many reviews are planted by competitors or individuals who have something else they are promoting. They can also are written by disgruntled associates who failed because they didn’t follow the “lesson plan.” Obviously, there are legitimate complaints as well, but it often takes thorough investigation to get to them.

#7 Are the marketing materials dynamic and accurate?

It is not your job to create your own marketing materials. They should be supplied by the company, and you should feel proud and confident to use them. They have to be eye catching, because of all of the competition that is out there. They also must clearly and honestly state all the benefits of the product, in addition to describing the other aspects of the business.

#8 Is there a WOW factor to the website and does it have a strong “back office?”

Today, every viable MLM company has a great website to attract customers, as well as people who want to build a team. The key to us is whether or not they have an up-to-date “back office” for those who want to build a large business. This is essential for tracking everything about your personal business, including monitoring how everyone on your team (your downline) is doing.

#9 What kind of support will the company give me?

Without support, the MLM business is very tough. The good news is that most MLM companies have a well thought-out marketing plan, as well as an action plan to promote both the product and to help you recruit independent distributors. Most MLM companies also offer extensive training, in addition to company-wide, regional and local events. The biggest breakdown in support usually has more to do with your sponsor – the person who introduced you to and enrolled you in the company – and the team that he or she is on. Some sponsors are new to the MLM system and have had no real experience in business world to offer. When this is the case, you need to find someone in your upline that can mentor you. Sometimes this seems nearly impossible. It should be noted that, regardless of the experience of your sponsor or those in your upline willing to help you, it really gets down to you and your own efforts. I know many network marketers who become highly successful with zero help from others.

#10 What is the compensation program and how does it work?

I put this question last, knowing full well that it is one of the most important issues to some. After all, MLM is a business. However, without receiving positive responses to the other nine questions, does the compensation program really matter? Don’t mistake us for thinking that how, when, and how much you are paid isn’t critical. It is extremely important and takes the most time to understand. It requires that you read the fine print of the agreement to get all of the facts before signing to join as a distributor. Misunderstanding the full compensation program causes more unhappiness than any other issue. Knowing this, Home Based Business Success Center has researched hundreds of MLM companies, paying particular attention to their compensation program. This has put us in a position to assist you in finding a company that meets your financial needs and goals.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

People like this really get under my skin. This is someone who, in my opinion, is lazy and spends a lot of time in life crying. It was not that long ago I was living on the streets without a penny in my pocket, dreaming of ways to make money and go forth into a livable life. I never shed a tear about it. However, you even mention to someone they might have to pay a start-up cost to work online at home and Oh, BOY! Grab the tissue paper.

This is simple, if you don't understand that every business in the world has some start-up cost you shouldn't be doing business in the first place. Yes, online businesses have start-up costs also!

There are some differences though. The biggest difference is that when you start your own business from brick you are probably going to be paying a lot more than you would for a website store front. A website store front might cost you about $300 if you pay someone to do it (or about $25 if you do it the way I tell people to do it).

This is why I'm looking at MLMs. MLMs are designed so that I can work online and with a ready made product. MLMs solves all of my problems. I'm going to pay a low price to work with a ready made business and that's my start-up.

Its really that simple! You cannot say one day "I want to own my own business online but I have no idea what to sell" then cry later "I was looking around for things to market online and they all want money". That is ridicules!

You have to understand that the price start-up price is going to set you up at home. They are giving you the material needed to work from home. DO you know how to build a website? Can you build a back office? Maybe a second webpage also a capture page? Are you willing to pay even more money to brand yourself? I can tell you these things add up! I'm not in that position these days. I'll be looking for a company that offers me their whole package for one simple start-up cost. When I find the right company believe me, I won't be crying "I want a business but I don't want to start by paying any money"!

The next step for me is to start looking for the right MLM.

Oh, I forgot to mention - for those of you who don't fully understand that starting any business costs money, you can choose to look at it like I do - get it for FREE!

Yes. Go down to your Secretary of States office, apply for a sole-proprietorship (50$), give it a name (Mine is BTM of Bottom to Top Marketing), make sure they labeled you has a home based business. This way you are entitled to up to $8,000 in Tax returns, meaning that because you should never spend even a fraction of that on any online business you should not just be able to start for free, but you should also be able to start making the money right away.

Now, if that does not make sense, or if it makes sense and you are saying to yourself right now "I HAVE TO DO THAT TO)!" you might as well just go ahead and settle into your lazy-boy chair, turn on some Law and Order, pull that tissue box a little closer, and settle in for what's going to be the rest of your life.

Me - I just came out of the gutter and I'm NOT going back!

Note: Above is a video I'm using to show people that in fact there are huge tax incentives for having a home based business. However, it is not the one I wanted to post. In the one I wanted it actually said that the startup cost of any MLM is included in this Tax right off (for the non-believers).

Monday, April 15, 2013

Does this really need to be a question? I mean, if we could all work from home wouldn't we? In many cases (at least in my case) there is really no other option if you want to make another income. Being leveraged today is important. We live in an unsteady world. One day you have a job and the next you don't. This has happened to me before and this is also why I'm going to take extra steps to make sure I have a back up plan in life now.

One thing I have noticed is that when people think of a home based business they automatically think MLM. It makes sense, as most (not all) home based businesses are MLMs (at least my experience has told me). However, there are many home based businesses that are not MLMs. For example, drop shipping is not typically an MLM. An online store (personal web site) is also not an MLM.

I happen to like MLMs though. I like the fact that if done right and you do become a success you will make money for the rest of your life basically for free. This is of course a residual income. I see nothing wrong with that. However, a lot of people do. They hear "residual income" they then think "MLM" and then its off to "scheme". Then you hear " they will rip you off". This is bad thinking! Honestly, if this is where you are, you might as well settle in for what you are doing now and hope for the best. Extra income from home more often than not comes with residual income.

Home based businesses and MLMs go almost hand in hand when it comes to making money with someone else's product. It's simply the way it is and I like the thinking. I don't have to invent anything, I can do it from home, make my own hours, and hope fully make extra money at it (we will be seeing about that soon enough).

All together my point here is this:
Before starting an online business, whether an MLM or a home based business, you should consider exactly what it is you want to do. From drop shipping to having your own store online to holding someone else's MLM there are many pros and cons.

I'm going MLM right now because it suits me the best. I want to start work ASAP. I have little money and no product of my own. I need a type of ready-made business to begin. I have the means to do it (computer, phone, internet and printer). I also want the residual income on top of my commission. For me, an MLM makes plenty of sense. Go home based MLM or go home!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Now that I'm on some kind of steady ground its time to make my move. My options a limited and I don't have much more right now to palay. Everything I do from here out needs to be calculated and smart.

The economy is in the gutter. I'm almost broke. I have bad credit. I have no idea what kind of business to do. OK, I'm off to a great start. However, if there is one thing I do have... is a mind for business. It comes to me very easy. Also, I spent God knows how many hours in book stores reading and learning books in the business section. When you live in the streets why not at least get a free education?

So I know with this I don't have much to go on. Has much has it kills me to say this...... I'm going to go MLM (multi level marketing).

Why not? MLM has a bad name, it does! However, I have a few thoughts on that (has you might has guessed).

First off, there are a lot of MLMs that are bad. Just junk! It's as simple as that. I see it all the time. MLM will charge you an arm and a leg to get you in. Then charge you even more to keep you in. In the end, all you do is wind up in debt. I see it all the time. MLMs that take you for everything you have and when ( sometimes before ) you're all out, they leave you high and dry. MLMs that don't train you right. MLMs that down right suck. I will have to keep an eye out for that one.

Second, people expect MLMs to make them tons of money from almost nothing. People often enter an MLM thinking some how money will fall from the sky and land in their lap. Why? because that's what they were led to believe in the first place. "If I drop this $100 and basically do nothing, I'll make $100,000 in 6 months". Then it does not work and they get mad.

This is why MLMs have a bad wrap. Half the MLMs suck and the half that are good are full of people that don't work and don't treat it like a business.

So, knowing this, I'm all set! I have a good foundation for what I should be looking for in an MLM and I have an understanding that this is going to be a job and I'm going to have to work at it.

Friday, April 12, 2013

It has been some time now. I've been gone! I've been on the down low. I've also been hungry. No, not hungry as in the physical hungry. I mean the mental type. Starving in fact. Starving for a bounce.

It's been months since I've been here on this blog. I always have it in the back of my mind though. I think its just because I like to write stuff. I clears my mind and keeps me sharp. On the edge! Where I have to be (Al Pachino).

My days on the streets are over once and for all!

I'm home now with my family and with my kids. I'm safe!

Things have changed a lot for me in the last 9 months. I've moved back home. Became a father to my kids again. I've been working my butt off at a steady job. I even took a new interest in going back to school. Applied business! I even studied for a few months in math in order to take my college placement exams. I did well and the college told me I could do what ever I wanted to do in math (well, not quite that good). I have a new car that I pay an outrageous amount for. I look and feel like a million dollars these days.

I've jumped on here a time or two to see if my blog still gets hits. I see that I do. I suppose I said so much in those days that now it will always be around, lol! I don't mind though. I said what I said and I'm not going to take any of that back.

Sometimes I still worry. I do it because I've been on the up before. This time I seem to be moving up fast and even though I've hit a few bumps along the way I still seem to be moving up.

Things were funny for me at first though. Like I had truly forgotten that I was human. Doing things like driving a car felt odd at first. Going out to eat was a new taste. Cleaning up without worrying if someone was out side the bathroom door waiting to come in and if I was taking too long. It all felt funny. It all felt good!

Finally, after 5 years in the gutter, I'm free. I've been working my tail off to stay free every single day since I realized that in fact, I was indeed a free man, again!

So, what an I doing here now? I made my mark (or at least I have been told). Well, I might be free from the streets but I'm not any more free from the chains of a struggle-free life any more than I ever was. I have obtained a few things in the last few months that I said when I started this blog I wanted. I have my kids back. I have a car. However, I'm far from a house. In fact, I'm far from having a life that's even a bit respectable in my eye.

Life is not about the things I possess. Life is the creature I hold while possessing the things I like and love. SO, even though I've come up some and have left the streets behind, I still have a very long way to go.

The rest of this blog will be done a little differently than the first half. I will not use social media to push it. I will not post ANY media platform at all. I will not invite my old friends that used to read this blog to come back. I'm still very much friends with all of those people and they know I'm doing well now. No, this is in fact going to be a whole new track.

The rest of this blog is going to be about making it to a place that is just a little better. A place of success. A place of achievement that is past what I would have just settled for 1 year ago.

Because, I know that I'm still in the same day in and day out messes that everyone else is in!
I made it out of homelessness. I came up after 5 years of fighting it and I made it to solid ground. However, I can't stop now. I have to go for it all now. I have to run faster. I must sprint for the finish line. I'm looking for success now and I'm behind. However, just like before when the odds were against me and I won, I am going to do that again.